Comments on: STS-119: A Mission in Pictures

By: Kootstar

Kootstar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:36:23 +0000

There are still some who feel that science itself is wrong and a burden on the human race, but do a good research. See what improvements have been made in computers, materials of many kinds (from metals to fabrics), medicine (for many different reasons!), and who knows what I can't think of off the top of my head. As space work advances, so do many sciences in relation to that work.

By: huygens

huygens — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:30:52 +0000

But those solar panels do look pretty glinting in the sunlight like that, I must say.

$100 billion for some pretty pictures.

And you wonder why Joe Sixpack doesn't understand or appreciate space travel.

By: huygens

huygens — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:28:59 +0000

Well, I've waited 11 years for anything to stand out about the ISS, guess I can wait a few more, right?

I just want to know where my $100 billion went, tis all.

My problem is I grew up in an era where a President said we were going to put a man on the Moon by the end of the decade and we actually did it.

How many more decades will it be before even the first set of humans step on Mars?
Three at least judging by NASA's lack of committment.

By: Vino

Vino — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:41:54 +0000

And also maybe in terms on international co-operation when there is a need!!!

By: Wolter

Wolter — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:30:24 +0000

How about "quite" some experience on constructing in space. I think the participants have build quite a list of do's and don'ts gathered over the years.

By: Aqua

Aqua — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:20:37 +0000

Huygens, before we condem the ISS, we must wait to see what science comes of it!

I have a feeling that what will be found is not what was expected but may be just what we need…

Specifically advances in:
Materials engineering
E/M field generation
Robotics
Medicine – pharmaceuticals
Genetic engineering
Astrophysics
Astronomy
etc..

By: huygens

huygens — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:36:32 +0000

I agree, but I don't see much adventure with the ISS, unless you consider endless maintenance and a few experiments that could have been done for a fraction of the cost adventure.

And please don't tell me the ISS is a stepping stone to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. It is going to be trashed in 2016 and I guarantee you most of the experience and technology for those true adventures won't come from the ISS.

How many astronauts who are on the ISS now will even be around when we finally send humans to Mars?

I don't mind seeing a space station, but the ISS ain't what I had in mind.

By: watchful stone guardian

watchful stone guardian — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:43:11 +0000

Can't put a price-tag on human curiosity and spirit.

By: huygens

huygens — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:50:38 +0000

Call me when the ISS does something worthy of its $100 billion price tag.

By: Nancy Atkinson

Nancy Atkinson — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:36:03 +0000

harrybody- its Earth's atmosphere, backlit by the sun.

By: harrybody

harrybody — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:50:06 +0000

I believe I've seen quite a few pictures from ISS over and around the earth. But wonder what the blue ring around the earth are, and that I, apparently is the only one, who is wondering about this phenomena. does anyone have an explanation?

By: Nathanial Burton-Bradford

Nathanial Burton-Bradford — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:26:37 +0000

Hi Steve -

Having opened the image in photoshop, and ramped up the light levels, I'd say that the three small 'objects' are reflections in the orbiter window, through which the image was taken…

Of course I could be wrong ; )

Nathanial

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:06:11 +0000

Does anyone know what the three small objects to the left of the ISS are in the first image?

By: Paul Guttman

Paul Guttman — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:00:55 +0000

I agree, a stunner! Makes one appreciate just how thin our Earth's atmosphere really is!

By: Astrofiend

Astrofiend — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 03:11:36 +0000

Wow – that first image is a stunner. Very art.

By: Marco

Marco — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:41:50 +0000

The ISS has never been my favorite project. I think that the money could have been better spent on other space projects. That said, the ISS takes and provides stunning photograhps. That first one should be an instant iconic photo. It is simply beautiful. What a wonderful combination of man's technology and the natural universe. To anyone who thinks that money spent on the space program overall is wasted, I say it has been and will continue to be the best way to waste money that I can think of.

By: Layman

Layman — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:41:44 +0000

If you zoom in on the faceplate in hi-res- you can see the reflection of the other astronaut taking this picture- Neat stuff-

By: Sofia

Sofia — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:39:17 +0000

Beaurifull images Nancy !

By: Nancy Atkinson

Nancy Atkinson — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:41:06 +0000

Ok, due to popular demand, just click on the first image to download a hi-res version. Same with the second one, too, of Ricky Arnold on EVA.

By: Nancy Atkinson

Nancy Atkinson — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:14:05 +0000

duff– go to the link at the end from NASA's Human Spaceflight website, and all the images are available in hi res.

By: duff

duff — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:57:37 +0000

does someone have a high res version of the first picture?

By: Dan Tillmanns

Dan Tillmanns — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:35:46 +0000

My favorite thing that I have watched was the Apollo 8 broadcast from lunar orbit.

By: Dan Tillmanns

Dan Tillmanns — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:08:56 +0000

I've never bothered to look for the ISS. I'll have to take a look.
The first satellite I saw was Sputnik 1 (booster) 48 hours after it was launched.
The Echo satellites were fun to watch.
I'm getting old now and I wait for warmer weather. Real nice now, over 80 degrees.

By: Harry Potter

Harry Potter — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:41:56 +0000

I thought they were clips on the laundry

By: ND

ND — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:36:31 +0000

Hey, one of those astronauts has grey hair and looks like a postman. There is hope for the rest of us yet!